Recently declared World Heritage Site by the UNESCO, Catania is a must-go destination in Sicily. It touches its visitors with its charming streets and baroque architectural masterpieces. Catania is overshadowed by the Etna Mount which has marked the history of the city with several volcanic eruptions, especially the one in 1669 which partially destroyed the city. Occupied and invaded over the centuries, Catania has benefited of many influences from the Greeks, Siracusans, Romans to Byzantine and Arab cultures. The elephant is the symbol of the city thanks to the Fontana dell'Elefante assembled by Giovanni Battista Vaccarini in 1736. The elephant is made of lava stone and is topped by an Obelisk.
The fountain is at the center of Piazza del Duomo, the very heart of the city. Also designed by Vaccarini, the place is surrounded by elegant baroque buildings: the Chierici and Pardo palaces, the Cathedral and the Bishop's Palace as well as Porta Uzeda, and the elegant Palazzo Senatorio, which is now Carania's Town Hall.
A nice walk in Via Crociferi will allow you to enjoy the baroque atmosphere of the city and see several magnificent buildings. Walking through via Etnea, will carry you to several places worth of interest such as Piazza dell'Universit?, Piazza Stesicoro and the Villa Bellini. The street will also be appreciated by women as it is one of the main shopping street of Catania. For those who decide to visit Catania's surroundings, we highly suggest to go for a hike on the mount Etna.
Mount Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and is in an almost constant state of activity.
Several hiking trails are available according to your fitness level:
For beginners trail to see to first craters: you can park your car at From Refuge Sapienza (Etna south) and see the two craters that are very close to the parking. To climb on the highest one it is recommended to have sport shoes as the volcanic rocks make the trail slightly slippery. From the car park you can as well take the cable car ascending the Etna.
To reach Refuge Sapienza by car: take the Catania-Messina highway, take the exit Fiume freddo and take the direction Linguaglossa for 10 Km . You can also reach Refuge Sapienza thanks to buses leaving from Catania.
Advanced from Case Pietra Cannone to Piano Provenzana:
This hike will allow you to see a mix of pine forest and volcanic landscape created by the eruption of 1865 such as Ladroni grotto and Sartorius mounts.
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